Container Chilling Apparatus and Method

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for chilling a container are disclosed. In one embodiment, a portable container or wine chiller has an outer shell and may have a closure that holds the wine bottle in place. The wine chiller may have an insertable coolant, or may alternatively have a permanently affixed coolant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus forchilling a container, and more specifically relates to an apparatus andkit for chilling wine or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wine chillers are known in the art. Many wine chillers, however, aredesigned for tableside chilling service rather than portability. Otherwine carriers may be designed for portability but not optimal chillingconditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to one or more of the following features,elements or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, a portable container or wine chiller is disclosed.The wine chiller can have an outer shell and may have a closure thatholds the wine bottle in place. The wine chiller may have an insertablecoolant, or may alternatively have a permanently affixed coolant. Otheritems may be affixed to the wine chiller as disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevation view of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2A-C are various views of an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 3A-E are additional views of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, a container carrier 10 comprises an outershell 12 capable of housing a container 22 (visible in FIGS. 2-3). Inthe illustrative example, container 22 is a wine bottle. However, itshould be understood that other bottles and containers are within thescope of the invention. For example, the present invention may be usedwith water bottles, bottles of liquor, and/or any other type of beverageor food container that is desirably held at a certain temperature.

As can be seen in the example shown in FIG. 1, outer shell 12 carries atleast one coolant 14 that can be positioned inside outer shell 12.Coolant 14 is illustratively positionable inside a lower portion 16 ofthe outer shell 12. However, other configurations and positions arewithin the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 also shows a closure 18 that can used to secure container 22inside outer shell 12. It is contemplated that closure 18 can be a drawstring, zipper, Velcro®, a strap, buttons, fasteners, or any other typeof system that can be used to secure an upper portion 20 of outer shell12. In the illustrated example, closure 18 comprises a slit 24 in outershell 12 that is drawn together with closure 18. In one embodiment, theclosure 18 may have portions (i.e. a draw string or strap) that doubleas a carrying strap. In another embodiment, a strap may simply be sewnon to outer shell 12.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A, a plurality of coolants 14 can be used toline the inside of outer shell 12. The coolants 14 may be insertable, asshown, but also may be permanently fixed inside outer shell 12. Aretainer, such as VELCRO®, a pocket, or some other sort of retainingmeans, may be used to retain coolants 14 inside the outer shell 12.

It is contemplated that coolants 14 may also be disposable andreplaceable. Disposable coolants 14 can comprise freezable liquid orgel, or in the alternative, may be chemically activated coolants. Forexample, coolants 14 could comprise two chemicals that are separateduntil it is desired to have a cooling effect, at which time thechemicals are combined in some way. This combination could occur frombreaking an intermediary glass or other barrier, or could occur bysqueezing one chemical into the other through a semi-permeable membranethat does not permit passage of the chemical(s) without pressure. In oneembodiment, coolants 14 may comprise a PVC material.

FIGS. 2B and 2C show outer shell 12 in a side elevation view and a topview, respectively. As can be seen in FIG. 2B, upper portion 20 issubstantially conically formed so as to conform to the top of acontainer such as a bottle of wine. In the top view shown in FIG. 2C, itcan be seen that seams or creases 26 may be formed in upper portion 20so as to accommodate the conical formation.

Other embodiments can be seen in FIG. 3. For example, in one embodimentshown in FIG. 3A, a bottle opener pouch 28 is attached to carrier 10such that a bottle opener (or any other type of desirable tool) can becarried by carrier 10. In the illustrated example, pouch 28 is carriedon the outer shell 12.

However, other positions are contemplated, such as on a strap or otheritem connected to outer shell 12.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3E, pockets can be formed or sewn onthe inner surface of outer shell 12, wherein the pockets can carrycoolants 14. In still another embodiment, the coolants 14 can be affixedto the outer shell 12 via a hook-and-loop fastener such as Velcro® orvia any other means known in the art.

It is contemplated that outer shell 12 could be formed of a mesh,stretchable, and/or polyurethane material. One such contemplatedmaterial is neoprene, allowing for flexibility around a container 22,yet a tight fit so that coolants are held close to container 22. Aninner layer may be coupled to outer shell 12, the inner layer beingconstructed of, for example, a nylon material. Such a material mayprovide for better wear of the carrier 10 and easier insertion andremoval of the container 22. A handle and shoulder strap may also beattached to the outer shell, the handle and shoulder strap being madefrom, for example, the a webbed type of material.

The other shell 12 can be constructed so as to provide room foradvertising or other markings. It may also include or carry additionalpockets and/or straps for multi-purpose use.

The entire system disclosed can be sold as a kit. For example, containercarrier 10 can be sold in combination with a wine bottle opener, andcontainer carrier 10 can be configured to hold a wine bottle opener inan outer pocket attached thereto. A strap or other carrying device canbe sold with the kit as well. Furthermore, the coolant or a plurality ofdisposable coolants may be included in the kit.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been describedin detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A beverage carrier comprising: an outer shell configured to encompass a beverage container; an opening formed in the outer shell, the opening being configured to permit the beverage container to be inserted and removed from the outer shell; a coolant removably positioned on an inner portion of the outer shell; and a retainer configured to releasably retain the coolant on the inner portion of the outer shell.
 2. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is constructed of a neoprene material.
 3. The beverage container of claim 1, further comprising a strap attached to the outer shell, the strap permitting a user to carry the beverage carrier.
 4. The beverage container of claim 1, further comprising a pocket positioned on an outside surface of the outer shell.
 5. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the retainer is a pocket configured to hold the coolant.
 6. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the retainer is formed of a hook-and-loop material.
 7. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is configured to closely encompass the beverage container.
 8. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the coolant is a disposable material.
 9. A beverage carrier comprising: an outer shell configured to encompass a beverage container; an opening formed in the outer shell, the opening being configured to permit the beverage container to be inserted and removed from the outer shell; a disposable coolant positioned within the outer shell; and a retainer configured to releasably retain the coolant within the outer shell.
 10. The beverage container of claim 9, wherein the outer shell is constructed of a neoprene material.
 11. The beverage container of claim 9, further comprising a strap attached to the outer shell, the strap permitting a user to carry the beverage carrier.
 12. The beverage container of claim 9, further comprising a pocket positioned on an outside surface of the outer shell. 